Tesco has had second thoughts about entering the smartphone race, confirming it no longer plans to introduce a Tesco Hudl Smartphone.
With the supermarket giant having previously discussed plans to launch an own-brand handset, the retailer has now revealed these plans have been shelved. Focus has instead been shifted to a second-generation Tesco Hudl tablet offering.
According to Tesco’s multichannel director, Robin Terrell, the company has “put the phone on hold” as the mobile market has “become even more competitive” since the idea was first banded around.
He stated: “We were confident that we could offer customers something we saw was lacking in the mobile market: an affordable, quality 4G smartphone handset.
“As we developed the idea in the first few months of the year, we could see a gap we could fill with our customers. The technology sector is fast changing and constantly evolving.
"In early July, I took the decision that we would put the phone on hold and concentrate on the Hudl 2 tablet."
Terrell failed to offer any insight into any future plans to revive the company’s smartphone plans.
The budget 4G smartphone market has evolved rapidly over the past six months, with a 4G capable Motorola Moto G landing alongside efforts from Huawei and Samsung.
With Tesco having confirmed earlier in the year that it shifted an impressive 400,000 Hudl tablets during the device’s first three months on sale, the company has predicted the move to scrap its smartphone plans is a wise one.
“Where the first Hudl was used by many as a secondary device, Hudl 2 has the capability to take its place as customers’ primary tablet in the home,” Terrell suggested.
“We are very excited and when we launch it in the next few weeks I think customers will be too. The opportunity remains strong in the tablet market.”
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Via: MarketingWeek